Hilton Scholarships

The Dwight D. Eisenhower/Conrad N. Hilton
Scholarship Program

Dwight D. Eisenhower believed that democracy and citizen leadership characterize a strong nation. Leadership in a strong democracy requires citizens who can trust their government, understand and take personal responsibility, participate as leaders with a strong value system and personal integrity, and are informed and participate in their democracy. Eisenhower's vision of democracy requires a strong and free economy guided by fiscal responsibility, a commitment to education, a strong national defense, bi-partisanship in government, global involvement, open and free access to information and a free press.

The Eisenhower Institute is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to carrying Dwight Eisenhower's legacy into the 21st century by fostering integrity and trust in federal government, promoting broader understanding of America's role and responsibilities in world affairs and fostering leadership development and public service in America and its youth.

Through independent and collaborative programs, the Institute pursues this mission by: education; communication; publications and multi-media technology; policy conferences; and recognition of the leadership of individuals and organizations that carry the Eisenhower legacy forward.

Guidelines____________________________________________________________________

Objective

The primary purpose of the Dwight D. Eisenhower/Conrad N. Hilton Scholarship is to help U.S. students study abroad, thereby encouraging and assisting students who: bring a strong international orientation to their studies; exhibit, through extracurricular activities, an interest and awareness of the role they can perform in bettering the world; and show, through their career aspirations and corresponding curriculum choices, an appreciation of the role that international travel, global trade, and cross-cultural exchange can play in fostering international understanding and world peace. This objective is consistent with The Institute's other scholarship programs, which aim to help students pursue studies and research in such fields as history, government, economics, international affairs, and business administration so they may provide informed leadership in our national life.

Applicants

The Dwight D. Eisenhower/Conrad N. Hilton Scholarship is awarded to Gettysburg College seniors or juniors who are undergraduate students planning to study abroad and who demonstrate that their course work and travel plans satisfy the objectives identified above. Students should have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, a requirement that can be waived for candidates with particularly strong qualifications otherwise. While the principal focus for the scholarship is in the fields of management, political science, economics, and history, all social science and interdisciplinary majors are eligible and should be encouraged to compete. Applicants are awarded on merit.

Screening, Applications, and Notification

At the beginning of each academic year, Gettysburg College will advertise and make known that the Dwight D. Eisenhower/Conrad N. Hilton Scholarship is available to its student body. The College will, through its existing procedures for scholarships, accept and screen the applications. The College will then forward no more than five applications to the Eisenhower Institute for consideration and final selection by The Eisenhower Institute Grants Committee.

Applications should include:

1) The applicant's academic transcript;
2) A resume reflecting work experience and outside activities;
3) A statement of career aspirations (approximately 1,000 words), including how his or her course work and study-abroad program relate to the aims of this scholarship;
4) A letter of recommendation from the candidate's faculty advisor or department chair; and
5) A copy of a 10-15 page paper written by the student (within the last four months) from a course in his or her major field of study.

Interviews are not required. However, the Grants Committee has the discretion to hold interviews if it desires to do so.

Applications must be received from the Office of Off Campus Studies by the first day of Spring semester. Notification of the winner to the College and awardee will occur in April of each year.

Monitoring and Evaluation Funding and Reporting Requirements

The Eisenhower Institute will award a $10,000 stipend towards a semester of study abroad to the successful Gettysburg College student applicant.

When the Dwight D. Eisenhower/Conrad N. Hilton Scholarships are completed, reports from the students and their faculty advisors are required. These reports should review the accomplishments and evaluate the results in comparison to the student's initial aims as expressed in their applications.